On Wednesday, October 30, 2002 at 11:41:37 AM UTC-5, Julian Scarfe wrote:

I can't remember the thread where it recently came up but the subject of VFR into IMC and the "178 seconds" article frequently crops up on rec.aviation. http://www.aviation.uiuc.edu/institute/research/arl/technical-reports/178Sec ondstoLive.html
A Google search reveals dozens of pages with variants of the article on.
I was sufficiently intrigued by the experiment described that I contacted UIUC, which is cited in the article as responsible for the research, since I couldn't find the paper on the WWW. UIUC's Institute of Aviation staff were very helpful, and two days later I had a copy of the original research paper on my desk. Thanks to Mary and Ted there for their helpful and prompt response.
The following is a summary of some key points of the paper itself, entitled "180-degree turn experiment" and in UI's Aeronautics Bulletin 11. I have no axe to grind, and I think the "178 seconds" article does a good job of communicating the hazards of spatial disorientation. However, some issues have become clouded by the "chinese whisper" effect, so this is to set the record straight.
* The research was conducted at University of Illinois Institute of Aviation in 1954, principally by Jesse Stonecipher, the CFI.
* It was a response to the challenge from AOPA to devise a technique for non-instrument rated pilots who had flown inadvertently into IMC
* The tests were conducted on a Beech Bonanza C-35 in flight (not a "ground trainer" as cited in the 178 Seconds article)
* The 20 subjects for the experiment were chosen for being representative of those pilots who had *no* simulated or actual instrument experience (not "none since primary training", none at all)
* The Bonanza was chosen specifically *because* it would be difficult to
fly, as the most complex single that a non-IR pilot was likely to fly.
* None of the subjects had soloed a Bonanza. As far as I can tell, only 3
of the subjects had any complex experience at all, with most of them recording time on Aeronca 7AC, Cessna 140 and Tri-Pacers.
* Most of the subjects had only about 20 hours dual time, presumably the PPL syllabus in those days. 7 of them had less than 40 hours total.
* The aircraft was made to simulate basic VFR instruments, plus a turn indicator. The AI, DG and rate of climb indicators were covered for the entire experiment.
* The first period of the experiment was the famed '178 seconds' test, aimed at assessing the students' baseline instrument aptitude. The time was measured between the googles being placed over the students' eyes and an 'incipient dangerous flight condition'. For most cases this was deemed to
be an airspeed of 185 mph or an incipient stall.
* 19 of the 20 went into a 'graveyard spiral'. One pulled the aircraft
into a whip-stall.
* Times ranged from 20 seconds to 480 seconds. The average was indeed 178 seconds
* There then followed 4 periods of instruction in the 180 degree turn technique (see below) that was the actual subject of the study
* By the end of this training, the subjects had between 1.5 and 3 hours
(mean 2 hours) simulated IF, practising the technique.
* The subjects were again tested by simulating instrument conditions, and asked to transition from cruise to slow flight, make a 180 degree turn, and establish a controlled descent. Each subject was tested 3 times.
* Of the 60 trials, 59 were successfully completed. The unsuccessful one involved the failure to set power to maintain altitude and continued the descent in a way that violated the success definition. It was considered
that control was not lost, and that if the aircraft had not become visual below cloud, the impact would have been survivable.
The technique:
Throughout, center the turn needle using the rudder.
1) Hands off the control column
2) Lower the landing gear
3) Reduce power
4) Set trim to a predetermined position for slow flight (95 mph)
5) Adjust prop and power for approx level flight at 95 mph
6) Note the compass heading
7) Turn using the rudder
8) Roll out with appropriate lead or lag
9) Center the turn needle
10) Reduce power for a controlled descent
It was noticed that step 1 was both the most important and the most
difficult psychologically!
The usual deduction from the 178 Seconds article is the rather negative one that pilots without instrument training are in big trouble if they enter
IMC. I think the message that Stonecipher was trying to convey (and the result speak for itself!) is much more positive, that a little instument training can go a long way, even if faced with a partial panel and a complex aircraft.
Julian Scarfe
jul...@avbrief.com

I have found a link to the originally published study.

https://airwork.biz/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/180-Degree-Turn.pdf

Thanks for bringing up this issue. I read in one of the flying publications (Private Pilot, Flying, etc) how misquoted this study has been over the years. The intentions were well meaning to discourage VFR pilots from entering IMC, I personally do not
believe instilling fear is the best route to help individuals survive an encounter with IMC.

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